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Refashion Polka Dot Button Up

Lindsey Campbell
Well, August may be going by fast, but it also means that today is another refashion post! I had the best mom growing up - she always had a gigantic bin of costume pieces for us to play with and I know this dress would have fit right in! 
I kindof couldn't believe this sailor dress when I found it at the local thrift shop. It was huge and ruffle and polka-dotty and had the biggest buttons that were only complete with the fake pocket hanky on the side. (Ignore the goofy pose in the before photo.) At first I picked it off the rack as a joke. Then I realized the fabric was pretty nice and I loved the colors. 
Now it's refashioned and I'm proud to wear it!
(more after the jump...) ↓

You've probably noticed by now that I start all of my refashions the same way the Property Brothers do when they tackle a home project: gutting it. First I ripped off the buttons, the fake pocket, and the shoulder pads. The neck and shoulders had enough potential to keep the sleeves attached.
Second, I took off the bottom ruffles and stored them for next week's project. I laid a well-fitting top over the inside-out bodice and lightly marked and pinned where I needed to take it in.
After the shirt was pinned along the edge of my desired size I just sewed up each side, around the armhole and down to the arm opening before cutting the excess material. Easy as pie! I found a few smaller buttons and sewed them in place and called it good!